Northern Powergrid, the company responsible for region’s electricity network, is investing more than £600,000 on reinforcing Saltburn’s local power network to help customers receive a reliable electricity supply for years to come.

The essential work, which was originally proposed for later this year, has been brought forward as a priority for customers following two recent power cuts since 20 January which disrupted supplies to around 4,000 local homes and businesses.

On Saturday 18 March work will start on the project to reinforce the existing network with 1.6km of new network consisting of an 11,000 volt underground cable between Marske-by-the-Sea and Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The work will take place along The Bridleway and National Cycle Route 1 and, subject to weather and ground conditions, is anticipated to last six weeks. Northern Powergrid will work in partnership with its contractors O’Connor Utilities and Murphy to complete the work.

As part of the work on National Cycle Route 1 around 920 metres of vehicle access to Saltburn Allotments will be restricted for approximately eight days from Thursday 23 March. Recognising the importance of the route for local people and school traffic, Northern Powergrid, and its contractors, will only carry out work for the new cable between approximately 9.30am and 3.30pm. Vehicles will be able to access the area outside of these hours whilst pedestrian and cyclists will be able to pass as well as, maintaining access to the allotments at all times.

The next stage of work will take place on around 440 metres of The Bridleway, which is also part of National Cycle Route 1 in Saltburn. The area will be closed to pedestrians, cyclists and horses from Monday 3 April 2017 for around seven days to ensure the work can be completed safely.

Following this Northern Powergrid will be able to pull the new cable through the installed ducts and connect them to Northern Powergrid’s wider network which keeps the lights on for millions of homes and businesses across the region. The new cable will be energised, securing the new power supply route to Saltburn for the future.

Rebecca Kelly, Northern Powergrid’s delivery manager, said: “We had identified this area for investment this summer but following the recent power cuts we have quickly brought forward this essential work for our customers to help reduce the chance of further interruptions and power cuts.

“We do understand that work like this can cause some disruption but it is essential. We’d like to reassure everyone that we will be doing everything possible to minimise the impact for local people and businesses.”

Northern Powergrid has liaised with the Parish and Borough Councils and has written to the allotment owners to advise them of the imminent work. It is also writing to local residents along the route where the works will take place over the coming weeks to update them on this essential project and investment in their local community. Courtesy boards will remain on site throughout the construction.